Controller for an air conditioning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A controller for an air conditioner is provided that may include a communication device configured to communicate with the air conditioner, and an output device configured to display, on a management screen, information received from the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device. Once the communication device is communicatively connected to the air conditioner, the output device may receive product information of the air conditioner from the air conditioner and display the management screen corresponding to the product information received.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0135771, filed in Korea on Oct. 8, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

A controller for an air conditioning device is disclosed herein.

2. Background

In general, controllers are devices for controlling home appliances, such as a TV, an audio, or video device, an air conditioner, a wire broadcast converter, a satellite broadcast converter, or a fan, for example. In some cases, the controllers may remotely control various home appliances through wired communication or wireless transmission of a control frequency signal. The controllers may be devices dedicated to specific home appliances or may be computers in which software for controlling specific home appliances is installed.

A controller may be applied to an air conditioner. In the case of a multi-air-conditioner typically used in a large building that requires a plurality of indoor units or devices, the indoor units are connected to a single outdoor unit or device, and the indoor units are installed in indoor areas, respectively, so that an effect of installing a plurality of air conditioners may be achieved.

Korean Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2014-0061581 (hereinafter referred to as “prior art document”), published on May 22, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference, is a prior art document that discloses a controller for an air conditioner. The prior art document discloses a controller for an air conditioner that enables a user to easily check cycle information on the air conditioner on the basis of data received from the air conditioner, and displays a cycle view so that the user may easily detect and treat a state of the air conditioner.

However, in a case of a conventional controller for an air conditioner, a user must input product information of the air conditioner into the controller so that the controller may display, on a screen, information corresponding to the product information of the air conditioner. Therefore, the user may experience inconvenience.

Further, in the case of inputting the product information of the air conditioner manually, the controller may erroneously display the product information of the air conditioner, or may be unable to display the product information of the air conditioner if the user erroneously inputs the product information of the air conditioner. Moreover, in a case in which the product information is changed, such as in a case of replacing the air conditioner, the user must input the product information of a new air conditioner.

In addition, in the case of the conventional controller, screens for respective air conditioners are individually designed and stored. However, if a communication connection to a first-type air conditioner is released, and then, a communication connection to a second-type air conditioner is established, a screen corresponding to the second-type air conditioner should be displayed after a program for displaying a screen corresponding to the first-type air conditioner is terminated. However, the cost of generating a program is high, and it takes a long time to display a screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a chiller system, which is a type of air conditioner, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a chiller module and a controller according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process performed after a chiller module and a controller are communicatively connected to each other according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process in which a controller according to an embodiment is disconnected from a chiller module and then is communicatively connected to another chiller module;

FIGS. 5 to 8 are views illustrating management screens displayed on an output device according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a view a screen for changing a unit of information display according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, like reference numerals have been used to indicate like elements, and repetitive disclosure has been omitted.

In the following detailed description of embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present invention. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is “connected,” “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” to the latter or “connected”, “coupled”, and “joined” to the latter via another component.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a chiller system, which is a type of air conditioner, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a chiller module and a controller according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a chiller system 10, which is a type of an air conditioner, according to an embodiment may include a chiller module or chiller 100 for which a refrigeration cycle may be established, a cooling tower 20 that supplies cooling water to the chiller module 100, and a cold water demander 30 in which cold water that exchanges heat with the chiller module 100 may be circulated. The cold water demander 30 may be a device or a space that performs or in which an air conditioning operation is performed using cold water.

A cooling water circulation passage 40 may be provided between the chiller module 100 and the cooling tower 20. The cooling water circulation passage 40 may be a pipe that guides cooling water so that the cooling water circulates through the cooling tower 20 and a condenser 120 of the chiller module 100.

The cooling water circulation passage 40 may include a cooling water inflow passage 42 that guides cooling water so that the cooling water flows into the condenser 120, and a cooling water outflow passage 44 that guides the cooling water so that the cooling water heated by the condenser 120 flows to the cooling tower 20. A cooling water pump 46 that pumps cooling water may be provided an at least one of the cooling water inflow passage 42 or the cooling water outflow passage 44. FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates the cooling water pump 46 provided on the cooling water inflow passage 42.

The cooling water outflow passage 44 may be provided with an outflow water temperature sensor 47 that senses a temperature of cooling water that flows into the cooling tower 20. The cooling water inflow passage 42 may be provided with an inflow water temperature sensor 48 that senses a temperature of cooling water discharged from the cooling tower 20.

A cold water circulation passage 50 may be provided between the chiller module 100 and the cold water demander 30. The cold water circulation passage 50 may be a pipe that guides cold water so that the cold water circulates through the cold water demander 30 and an evaporator 140 of the chiller module 100.

The cold water circulation passage 50 may include a cold water inflow passage 52 that guides cold water so that the cold water flows into the evaporator 140, and a cold water outflow passage 54 that guides the cold water so that the cold water cooled by the evaporator 140 flows to the cold water demander 30. A cold water pump 56 that pumps cold water may be provided on at least one of the cold water inflow passage 52 or the cold water outflow passage 54. FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates that the cold water pump 56 is provided on the cold water inflow passage 52.

The cold water demander 30 may be a water-cooled air conditioner that allows heat exchange between air and cold water. For example, the cold water demander 30 may include at least one of an air handling unit (AHU) that mixes indoor air and outdoor air and induces heat change between the mixed air and cold water to discharge the mixed air into an indoor space, a fan coil unit (FCU) installed in an indoor area to induce heat change between the indoor air and the cold water and then discharge the indoor air into the indoor space, and a bottom piping unit laid at a bottom of the indoor area.

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates that the cold water demander 30 as the air handling unit or air handler. In detail, the air handling unit may include a casing 61, a cold water coil 62 installed inside the casing 61 to allow cold water to pass therethrough, and ventilators 63 and 64 provided to or at both sides of the cold water coil 62 to suction indoor air and outdoor air and blow the suctioned air into an indoor space. The ventilators may include a first ventilator 63 that suctions the indoor air and the outdoor air into the casing 61, and a second ventilator 64 that exhausts conditioned air out of the casing 61.

An indoor air suctioning part or portion 65, an indoor air exhausting part or portion 66, an outside air suctioning part or portion 67, and a conditioned air exhausting part or portion 68 may be formed in the casing 61. When the ventilators 63 and 64 are driven, a portion of air suctioned through the indoor air suctioning part 65 may be exhausted through the indoor exhausting part 66, and the remaining air not exhausted through the indoor air exhausting part 66 may be mixed with outdoor air suctioned through the outside air suctioning part 67 so that the mixed air exchanges heat with the cold water coil 62. Further, the mixed air heat-exchanged (cooled) with the cold air coil 62 may be discharged into the indoor area through the conditioned air exhausting part 68.

The chiller module 100 may include a compressor 110 that compresses a refrigerant, the condenser 120 into which a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 flows, an expansion unit or device (not shown) that decompresses the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 120, and the evaporator 140 that evaporates the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion unit. The cooling water circulation passage 40 may be connected to the condenser 120, and the cold water circulation passage 50 may be connected to the evaporator 140.

In the embodiments disclosed herein, as the chiller module 100 may be implemented using a known structure, a detailed description of the chiller module 100 has been omitted.

The chiller module 100 may be connected to a module controller 150 that controls and monitors the chiller module 100. The module controller 150 may communicate with the chiller module 100. The module controller 150 may be installed on or at one side of the chiller module 100. The module controller 150 may communicate with a remote controller 200. The remote controller 200 may communicate with the module controller 150 wirelessly or by wire.

The remote controller 200 may communicate with not only the chiller module 100 but also an additional air conditioner 300, and may control or monitor the additional air conditioner 300. The additional air conditioner 300 may be a chiller module, an air conditioner that provides cooling, a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling, or a ventilation device. It should be understood that embodiments are not limited to a type of the additional air conditioner 300. Depending on a building that requires air conditioning, one or both of the chiller module 100 and the additional air conditioner 300 may be installed. In addition, the remote controller 200 may communicate with the chiller module 100 and/or the additional air conditioner 300 installed in a building that requires air conditioning.

In the embodiments disclosed herein, description of information monitored or displayed by the remote controller 200 may be applied to the module controller 150. Therefore, hereinafter the remote controller 200 may be simply referred to as a “controller 200” for convenience. A case in which the controller 200 communicates with the chiller module 100 will be described in detail hereinbelow.

The controller 200 may include an output device or output 210 that outputs information, and an input device or input 220 that receives information. The output device 210 may include a sound output unit or output that outputs a sound or a display unit or display that emits light to present a visual indication. In detail, the display unit may include at least one of a light emitting polymer display (LPD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, or a 3D display, for example; however, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The output device 210 may display information on a subject to which the controller 200 is connected. That is, the controller 200 may display information on the chiller module 100, for example.

The output device 210 may include a touch screen. In this case, the output device 210 may be integrated with the input device 220. The touch screen may display a visual output to a user, and may receive an input from the user on the basis of a tactile contact. The visual output may include a graphic, a text, an icon, a video, or a combination thereof, for example. In a case in which the output device 210 includes the touch screen, each button on the input device 220 may be replaced with a user interface displayed on the touch screen. That is, the input device 220 may not be provided.

The controller 200 may include a communication device 230. The communication device 230 may receive information from the chiller module 100, and may transmit a control command to the chiller module 100.

In a case in which the communication device 230 wirelessly communicates with the chiller module 100, the communication device 230 may include a radio frequency (RF) circuit. The communication device 230 may transmit/receive an RF signal which is an electromagnetic signal. The RF circuit may convert an electric signal into an electromagnetic signal and vice versa, and may communicate with a communication network and other communication devices using the electromagnetic signal.

For example, the RF circuit may include an antenna system, an RF transceiver, at least one amplifier, a tuner, at least one oscillator, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, and a memory, for example; however, embodiments are not limited thereto and may include known circuits to perform functions of the foregoing elements. Alternatively, the communication device 230 may be based on at least one of wireless communication technologies, such as Bluetooth, radio frequency identification, infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB), ZigBee, or Wi-Fi, for example.

The controller 200 may include a memory 240 that stores information received from the chiller module 100, and a processor that controls the output device 210. Further, the memory 240 may store layout information for configuring a screen to be displayed on the output device 210 and a list of information to be displayed for each air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process performed after a chiller module and a controller are communicatively connected to each other according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the controller 200 may be communicatively connected to the chiller module 100, in step or operation S1. For example, the controller 200 may be communicatively connected to the module controller 150.

When the controller 200 is communicatively connected to the chiller module 100, the controller 200 may request product information from the controller 100, in step or operation S2. Then, the chiller module 100 may transmit the product information thereof to the controller 200, in step or operation S3. The product information may include category information and product type information of the chiller module 100. For example, a category of the chiller module 100 may include an absorption-type chiller, a turbo-type chiller, or a screw-type chiller, for example.

The product type information may be classified according to an operation scheme or a structure within a same category. For example, in a case of the turbo-type chiller, product types thereof may be classified according to a number of compressors, in a case of the screw-type chiller, product types thereof may be classified into an air cooling type or a water cooling type, and in a case of the absorption-type chiller, product types thereof may be classified according to a temperature of steam or whether steam is generated.

Upon receiving a product information request from the controller 200, the chiller module 100 may transmit the category information and the product type information to the controller 200. Alternatively, the chiller module 100 may transmit the product type information alone to the controller 200. The output device 210 of the controller 200 may display a management screen corresponding to the product information received from the chiller module 100, in step or operation S4.

According to this embodiment, the controller 200 may be aware of the product information of the chiller module 100 even though the user does not input the product information on the chiller module 100 communicatively connected to the controller 200. Therefore, as the user does not need to check the product information of the chiller module 100 itself, convenience of the user may be improved. Further, as the user does not need to input the product information on the chiller module 210 communicatively connected to the controller 200, a control error of the controller 200 or a display error of the output device 210 caused by an erroneous input of the product information by the user may be prevented.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process in which a controller according to an embodiment is disconnected from a chiller module and then is communicatively connected to another chiller module. Referring to FIG. 4, the output device 210 may display a management screen corresponding to a communicatively connected product as described above, in step or operation S11. In this state, the controller 200 may determine whether an error of communication with the chiller module 100 occurs, in step or operation S12. For example, the error of communication between the controller 200 and the chiller module 100 may occur when the chiller module 100 is disconnected from the controller 200 so as to be replaced with another chiller module.

If it is determined that the error of communication with the chiller module 100 occurs in step or operation S12, the output device 210 may display communication error information on a management screen, in step or operation S13. While the communication error information is displayed on the management screen, the controller 200 may determine whether it is possible to communicate with the chiller module 100, in step or operation S14.

If it is determined that communication with the chiller module 100 is possible in step or operation S14, the controller 200 may request the product information from the chiller module 100 communicatively connected thereto, in step or operation S15. Then, the chiller module 100 may transmit the product information thereof to the controller 200, in step or operation S16.

The output device 210 may display a management screen corresponding to a communicatively connected product, in step or operation S17. The product (chiller module) corresponding to the management screen displayed on the output device 210 in step or operation S11 may be equal to or different from the product (chiller module) corresponding to the management screen displayed on the output device 210 in step or operation S17.

FIGS. 5 to 8 are views illustrating management screens displayed on an output device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a management screen corresponding to a first-type chiller module belonging to a first category. FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a management screen corresponding to a second-type chiller module belonging to the first category. FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a management screen corresponding to a first-type chiller module belonging to a second category. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the management screen displayed on the output device in a case in which a communication error occurs while the controller normally communicates with the chiller module.

Referring to FIG. 5, the output device 210 may display a management screen 400 corresponding to the chiller module 100 communicatively connected. The management screen 400 may display, on a single screen, various information received from the chiller module 100. For example, the management screen 400 may display product information, state information, and/or a communication state, for example, of the chiller module 100.

The management screen 400 may include a menu region 409. The menu region 409 may display a menu button to select a plurality of menus. The menu button may be selected by a touch of a user or using the input device 220.

The management screen 400 may include a first information display region 401 that displays main information related to operation of the chiller module 100. Further, the management screen 400 may include a second information display region 411 that displays information related to a valve or information related to a cycle of the chiller module 100. Furthermore, the management screen 400 may include a third information display region 421 that displays information related to an actuator provided to the chiller module 100. The management screen 400 may also include a fourth information display region 431 that displays information on a sensor or electronic information. Additionally, the management screen 400 may include at least one of a driving information display region 441, a product display region 451, or a communication state display region 461, for example.

In this embodiment, the management screen 400 may display the plurality of information display regions 401, 411, 421 and 431 in common regardless of a category or type of a chiller module communicatively connected to the controller 200. That is, a layout of the plurality of information display regions 401, 411, 421 and 431 on the management screen 400 may be fixed.

The driving information display region 441 may display a driving mode of the chiller module 100, for example, ON or OFF information, or information on units of values displayed on the management screen. The product display region 451 may display the product information of the chiller module 100 communicatively connected. The information displayed on the product display region 451 may include at least product type information.

The communication state display region 461 may display a state of communication with the chiller module 100. For example, in a case in which the controller 200 normally communicates with the chiller module, 100, the communication state display region 461 may display information indicating normal communication.

The first information display region 401 may display fixed information 402 irrelevant to the category or product type of a chiller module, and variable information 403 that varies with the category or product type of a chiller module. That is, the fixed information 402 may not be deleted from the first information display region 401 even if the category or product type of a chiller module is changed.

In contrast, the variable information 403 may be displayed or may not be displayed on the first information display region 401 according to the category or product type of a chiller module. That is, if the type of an air conditioner communicatively connected is changed, the output device 210 may continuously display the fixed information 402 on the first information display region 401, and may delete or change a part or portion or the entirety or all of the variable information 403 or may add information thereto.

In this embodiment, a description of the fixed information 402 and the variable information 403 displayed on the first information display region 401 may be applied to the other information display regions 411, 421, and 431. However, both the fixed information and the variable information, or the variable information alone may be displayed according to the information display regions 411, 421, and 431.

Each of the information display regions 401, 411, 421 and 431 may be divided into a plurality of display blocks to separately display a plurality of pieces of information. The fixed information or the variable information may be displayed on each display block. A number of the plurality of display blocks may be set to be constant regardless of the category or product type of a chiller module, and a fixed number of the plurality of display blocks may be displayed on the management screen 400.

Further, according to the category or type of a chiller module, the fixed information or the variable information may be displayed on some of the plurality of display blocks, or the fixed information and the variable information may be displayed on all of the plurality of display blocks. For example, the first information display region 401 may be divided into 12 display blocks, and information may be displayed on some or all of the 12 display blocks. FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates that information is displayed on 9 display blocks out of 12 display blocks.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a case in which the controller 200 determines whether a communication error occurs as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the communication state display region 461 may display information to provide notification of an occurrence of the communication error. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, if the communication error occurs while the controller 200 normally communicates with the chiller module 100, regions of the management screen 400 other than the communication state display region 461 may maintain previously displayed information.

If the controller 200 is communicatively connected to the chiller module 100 while the communication error is displayed on the management screen, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the output device 210 may display the management screen 400 corresponding to the chiller module 100 communicatively connected. The communication state display region 461 of the management screen 400 may display information indicating normal communication. Further, the product display region 451 may display information on the communicatively connected product.

Referring to FIG. 7, the output device 210 may display the management screen 400 corresponding to the second-type chiller module belonging to the first category. In this embodiment, if a chiller module of another type is communicatively connected to the controller while the management screen of FIG. 5 is displayed, only the information displayed on each information display region of the management screen 400 may be changed. That is, the output device 210 may change only the information displayed within the same layout of the management screen 400 regardless of the type of chiller module.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the fixed information 402 and the variable information 403 may be displayed within the first information display region 401. The variable information 403 may include common information 404 displayed regardless of the types of chiller modules belonging to the same category and individual information 405 selectively displayed according to the types of chiller modules belonging to the same category. The common information 404, which is not particularly limited, may include at least one of a cold water outlet setting temperature, a current pressure of a condenser, a current pressure of an evaporator, a current pressure of an oil tank, and/or a current pressure of an oil pump, for example.

In a case of the first-type chiller module belonging to the first category, the individual information 405 is not particularly limited, but may include at least one of a current flow rate of cold water or a current flow rate of cooling water, for example. In a case of the second-type chiller module belonging to the first category, the individual information 405 is not particularly limited, but may include a current pressure of a second condenser, a current pressure of a second evaporator, a current pressure of a second oil tank, and/or a current pressure of a second oil pump, for example.

In brief, regarding chiller modules belonging to the same category, the common information 404 may be displayed on the first information display region 401 regardless of the types of the chiller modules, and the individual information 405 may be displayed or may not be displayed on the first information display region 401 according to the types of the chiller modules.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the first-type chiller module belonging to the second category is connected to the controller 200, the output device 210 may display the management screen 400 corresponding to the first-type chiller module belonging to the second category. Further, the product display region 451 may display the product information of the first-type chiller module belonging to the second category. In this embodiment, only the information displayed within the same layout of the management screen 400 is changed even if the category of a chiller module is changed.

The fixed information 402 and the variable information 403 may be displayed on the first information display region 401. The variable information 403 illustrated in FIG. 8 may be the same as or different from the variable information 403 illustrated in FIG. 7 partially or entirely.

The fixed information 402 displayed on the first information display region 401 may be changed in terms of a display position according to the type of chiller module. That is, a position of a display block on which the fixed information 402 is displayed may be changed.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, even if the controller is disconnected from a chiller module and then is communicatively connected to a chiller module of another type, the controller may automatically check the product information of the chiller module and may display a management screen corresponding to the product information, so that convenience of a user may be improved. Further, as the output device only changes displayed information, while maintaining a layout of information regions of the management screen regardless of whether a category or type of a product is changed, a user may easily check specific information on the management screen regardless of the type of chiller module. That is, a user may intuitively check information on a chiller module.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a screen for changing a unit of information display according to an embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, when a setting menu is selected from the menu region 409, an option for changing a unit may be displayed, and if the option for changing a unit is selected, a unit change screen 470 may be displayed, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The unit change screen 470 may display a temperature unit selection part or portion 471 for selecting a temperature unit. The unit of Celsius or Fahrenheit may be selected through the temperature unit selection part 471. The unit change screen 470 may display a pressure unit selection part or portion 472 to select a pressure unit. One of the units of kPa, psi, and kgf/cm² may be selected using the pressure unit selection part 472.

The unit change screen 470 may display a flow rate unit selection part or portion 473 to select a flow rate unit. The unit of m³/h or gal/m may be selected using the flow rate unit selection part 473.

The unit change screen 470 may display a capacity unit selection part or portion 474 to select a capacity unit. The unit KW or kBtu/h may be selected using the capacity unit selection part 474.

Further, the unit change screen 470 may display a default unit selection part or portion 475 to select a default unit, and a confirmation selection part or portion 476 to apply a selected unit. Although not restrictive, the unit of Celsius for a temperature, the unit of kPa for a pressure, the unit of m³/h for a flow rate, and the unit of kBtu/h for a capacity may be selected if the default unit selection part 475 is selected. Information may be displayed on the management screen 400 with the selected units.

The controller 200 may communicate with at least one air conditioner. A unit of information transmitted/received during a communication process may be changed according to the types of air conditioners.

For example, the chiller module may transmit information with a pressure unit of kgf/cm² to the controller 200, and a heat pump may transmit information with a pressure unit of kPa to the controller 200. If the pressure unit is set as kPa in the controller 200, the controller 200 may directly display pressure information received from the heat pump, and may convert a unit of pressure information received from the chiller module into kPa to display the pressure information. However, if an operation error occurs during a unit conversion process, a same value may be displayed for each unit through compensation.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, even if a unit of information transmitted/received during a communication process is different from that set in the controller, the controller may perform unit conversion so that the information may be displayed normally. Further, as the unit conversion is enabled, information units that vary with nations in which air conditioners are installed may be efficiently handled.

Moreover, even if different communication schemes are used according to the types of air conditioners, a single program to run a management screen may be used. Therefore, it is not necessary to produce and execute a plurality of programs.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a controller for an air conditioner.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a controller for an air conditioner that may include a communication device configured to communicate with the air conditioner, and an output device configured to display, on a management screen, information received from the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device. Once the communication device is communicatively connected to the air conditioner, the output device may receive product information of the air conditioner from the air conditioner, and display the management screen corresponding to the product information received.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a controller for an air conditioner that may include a communication device configured to communicate with at least one of a plurality of air conditioners, and an output device configured to display, on a management screen, information received from any one air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device among the plurality of air conditioners. The output device may display, on the management screen, a plurality of information display regions to display an operation state of the air conditioner communicatively connected. A layout of the plurality of information display regions on the management screen may be constant regardless of a category or a type of the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a controller for an air conditioner that may include a communication device configured to communicate with the air conditioner, and an output device configured to display, on a management screen, information received from the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device. The output device may display the management screen to display an operation state of the air conditioner communicatively connected. The output device displays a unit change screen when a unit change command for changing a unit of information displayed on the management screen is input.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A controller for an air conditioner, comprising: a communication device configured to communicate with the air conditioner; and an output device configured to display, on a management screen, information received from the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device, wherein, once the communication device is communicatively connected to the air conditioner, the output device receives product information of the air conditioner from the air conditioner and displays the management screen corresponding to the product information received.
 2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein, if the communication device is disconnected from the air conditioner and is connected to an another-type air conditioner, the communication device receives the product information from the another-type air conditioner, and the output device displays, on the management screen, the product information received from the another-type air conditioner.
 3. The controller according to claim 2, wherein the management screen comprises a communication state display region to display a communication state, and wherein the communication state display region displays information indicating normal communication or occurrence of a communication error.
 4. The controller according to claim 2, wherein the output device displays, on the management screen, a product display region and a plurality of information display regions to display an operation state of the air conditioner, and wherein a layout of the plurality of information display regions and a layout of the product display region on the management screen are constant regardless of a category or a type of the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device.
 5. The controller according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of information display regions displays fixed information displayed in common regardless of the category or type of the air conditioner, and variable information that varies with the category or type of the air conditioner.
 6. The controller according to claim 5, wherein, if the type of the air conditioner communicatively connected is changed, the output device continuously displays the fixed information on the at least one of the plurality of information display regions, and deletes or changes a portion or all of the variable information or adds information thereto.
 7. The controller according to claim 5, wherein a number of the variable information displayed on the at least one of the plurality of information display regions varies with the category or type of the air conditioner.
 8. The controller according to claim 5, wherein the fixed information is changed in terms of a display position on the at least one of the plurality of information display regions according to the category or type of the air conditioner.
 9. The controller according to claim 5, wherein the variable information comprises: common information displayed in common for air conditioners communicatively connected to the communication device, wherein the air conditioners belong to a same category; and individual information displayed individually for each of different types of air conditioners belonging to the same category.
 10. The controller according to claim 9, wherein the individual information is displayed or not displayed on the information display region according to the type of the air conditioner.
 11. The controller according to claim 9, wherein a portion or all of the common information is the same or different according to the category of the air conditioner.
 12. The controller according to claim 5, wherein the at least one of the plurality of information display regions comprises a plurality of display blocks to display the fixed information and the individual information, and wherein the fixed information and the individual information corresponding to the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device are displayed on each of the plurality of display blocks.
 13. The controller according to claim 12, wherein information displayed on at least one of the plurality of display blocks varies with the category or type of the air conditioner.
 14. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the output device displays a unit change screen when a unit change command is input.
 15. The controller according to claim 14, wherein the unit change screen displays a selection portion to select a unit of at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a flow rate, or a capacity.
 16. The controller according to claim 15, wherein the unit change screen displays a default unit selection portion to set a default unit.
 17. The controller according to claim 1, wherein, if a unit of information received from the air conditioner communicatively connected is different from that set in the controller, the unit of the information received is converted into a set unit, and the output device displays unit-converted information on the management screen.
 18. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller is a remote controller.
 19. A controller for an air conditioner, comprising: a communication device configured to communicate with at least one of a plurality of air conditioners; and an output device configured to display, on a management screen, information received from any one air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device among the plurality of air conditioners, wherein the output device displays, on the management screen, a plurality of information display regions to display an operation state of the air conditioner communicatively connected, and wherein a layout of the plurality of information display regions on the management screen is constant regardless of a category or a type of the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device.
 20. A controller for an air conditioner, comprising: a communication device configured to communicate with the air conditioner; and an output device configured to display, on a management screen, information received from the air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device, wherein the output device displays the management screen to display an operation state of the air conditioner communicatively connected, and wherein the output device displays a unit change screen when a unit change command for changing a unit of information displayed on the management screen is input.
 21. The controller according to claim 20, wherein, if a unit of information received from the air conditioner communicatively connected is different from that set for the unit change screen, the unit of the information received is converted into a set unit, and the output device displays unit-converted information on the management screen.
 22. A controller, comprising: a communication device configured to communicate with a first air conditioner; and an output device configured to display, on a management screen, information received from the first air conditioner communicatively connected to the communication device, wherein, once the communication device is communicatively connected to the first air conditioner, the output device receives product information of the first air conditioner from the first air conditioner and displays the management screen corresponding to the product information received, and wherein, if the communication device is disconnected from the first air conditioner and is connected to a second air conditioner, the communication device receives the product information from the second air conditioner, and the output device displays, on the management screen, the product information received from the second air conditioner.
 23. The controller according to claim 22, wherein the management screen comprises a communication state display region to display a communication state, and wherein the communication state display region displays information indicating normal communication or occurrence of a communication error.
 24. The controller according to claim 22, wherein the controller is a remote controller. 